Police investigate sexual assault at children's hospital

Police are investigating fresh allegations of sexual assault against a child patient by a care worker at a scandal-hit private mental health hospital group.

- REBECCA THOMAS

It is the second time reports have been made about a former Huntercombe Group hospital after two care workers were quizzed over the alleged rape of a child at its Taplow Manor Hospital in Maidenhead last year.

The latest allegations are from a patient at the group’s Ivetsy Bank Hospital, in Staffordshire, which was rated as inadequate last week. In a statement, Staffordshire Police confirmed it had received a report of sexual assault and said inquiries were ongoing.

The news comes as the NHS’s safety watchdog has threatened to close Taplow Manor after hospital leaders failed to make improvements in care.

The action comes after joint investigations by The Independent and Sky News found the private hospital had put the safety of young mental health patients at risk, with more than 50 patients and staff members alleging “systemic abuse” and poor care.

Last week, the CQC downgraded Ivetsey Bank Hospital’s rating from requires improvement to inadequate and raised concerns over “sexual safety” incidents.

The Huntercombe Group was previously forced to shut a hospital after a staff member was jailed for sexual assault and grooming of patients.

Final warning